The Commitments
The Commitments ★★★ 1991 (R)
Convinced that they can bring soul music to Dublin, a group of workingclass youth form a band. Highenergy production paints an interesting, unromanticized picture of modern Ireland and refuses to follow standard showbiz cliches, even though its lack of resolution hurts. Honest, whimsical dialogue laced with poetic obscenities, delivered by a cast of mostly unknowns. Very successful soundtrack features the music of Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, and others, and received a Grammy nomination. Based on the book “The Commitments” by Roddy Doyle, part of a trilogy which includes “The Snapper” and “The Van.” 116m/C VHS, DVD . IR Andrew Strong, Bronagh Gallagher, Glen Hansard, Michael Aberne, Dick Massey, Ken McCluskey, Robert Arkins, Dave Finnegan, Johnny Murphy, Angeline Ball, Felim Gormley, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Colm Meaney; D: Alan Parker; W: Dick Clement, Roddy Doyle, Ian La Frenais; C: Gale Tattersall; M: Paul Bushnell. British Acad. '91: Adapt. Screenplay, Director (Parker), Film.